Headlight mechanism



juinny w, 192.3; mfimm 1 S. E. DOUGLASS HEADLIGHT MECHANI SM Filed March 28, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 28, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet f2 Patented July 10, was.

p i" ii: "r at HEADLIGHT MECHANISM.

Application filed MarchY28, 1922. Serial No. 547,488.

ToaZZ whomz'tma-y concern."

Be it known that I, SAMUEL ERDOUGLASS', a citizen of the United States, residing at Raleigh, in-the county of Wake and State of North Carolina, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in a Headlight Mechanism; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,.such as will enable othersskilled in the art towhich it appertains to make and use thesame.

This invention relates to automobileor other vehicle headlight mechanism. An important obj ectisto provide a novel means whereby the he-adlightsof a vehicle will turn automatically or dirigibly with the vehicle through .operation of its steering mechanism. i I

Another object is to provide a connection i between the mounting for the lampand the steering rod consisting of disalined elements on the mounting and crossing, non-contacting flexible elements connected to the disalined elements and to the steering rod..

A further object is to provide a construction in which the lamp is detachable, is illuminated electrically and has surplus wiring and a casing to contain it, whereby the lamp may be used as a trouble or general purpose lamp about the vehicle.

v Additional objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with accompanying drawings illustrating one practical embodiment.

, In said drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation ofan automobile showing the same equipped with my improved headlight mechanism Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the parts of the automobile shown in Figure 1 and illustrating one of the headlights in side elevation;

Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the dirigible connection between the steerin rod and one of the lamps;

*igure 4 is a central vertical sectional view through one of the lamps and its mounting, taken on the line H of Fig ure 1' Figilre 5 is a cross sectional view on the line 55 of Figure l with the detachable connection between one of the lamps and itssupport; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing one of the lamps detached from its mounting and looking toward the rear of the lamp.

Like reference characters designate like or similar parts in the different views.

Referring to the drawing, a vehicle, particularly an automobile is fraginentarily shown of which the front axle is designated A and throughthe medium of springs B clamped there-to as at U resiliently supporting side beams D of the chassis. The usual steering rod is shown at E for'connection to the mounting spindles for the front wheels. v

In reducing the invention to practice, a casing 10 may be provided for each lamp. The casings 10 are adapted to be secured in place in any suitable manner and at any suitable location. For instance they are shown as disposed in front of the axle A. and fastened rigidly against the inner surfaces of the side beams B as by means of brackets or clamps 11 screwed or bolted to the side beams as at 12. Journal'ed within each casing 10 is a shaft 13, which may be secured in place by means of collars 14: fastened to the shaft as by set screws 15, and placed one against the top of each casing and one against the bottom thereof. Within the casing, bearings 16 are provided in which the shafts 13 turn and which bearings preferably have balls or rollersat 17 to directly engage the shaft toreduce friction.

Adjacent the lower end, shafts 13 have lugs or crank elements 18 and 19, which ex tend in opposite directions and are disalined m a horizontal plane. Pins'or eyelets 20 and 21 are provided on the steering rod 1%, projecting above and below the same, respectively, and flexible cables orcords 22 extend from the pins 20 to pins or eyelets 23 on the cranks 19 while flexible cables 2i ings 28 provided with lenses 29 therein and v with a electric bulb 80 secured thereto.

Depending froIn the housings 28 are attachinlg sleeves 31, preferably square in cross "section, andidisposed slidably and detachably on the square portions 26. Portions 26 are recesses in their upper extremities as at 32 and expansive springs 33 are housed in the recesses and abut the interior of sleeves 31 so as to provide a resilient vibration-absorbing connection between the shaft portions '26 and the lamps.

I At the rear o feac-h larnppa container-34L is provided and it may have a closure or door 35, hinged for opening as at 36 and having a fastening latch or the likeyas at 37. Lamp 38 may be lighted in any suitable manner as by means of wires 38 in circuit with the storage battery of the automo- V bile or vehicle equipped with my improved headlightsn lhe Wires 38 are contained in a [cord 39which passesithrough an opening iO 'intojthe container stand thence to the lamp 30. It will be noted that the surplusage of the cord 39 is provided and disosed Within {the container 34. Thus in view of the detachment of the lamp 27, it ma be used as a trouble lamp about theautoniobile, with the slack or surplusage of'the cord perinitting extension and movement.

v In operation 'as the automobile is driven and the steering Wheel is operated, the steering will move appropriately to steer .the front Wheels. According tov the movement of said steering rod E, through-the inediurn of the flexible elements and 24,

shafts 13 are rocked'orturned about vertical axes, imparting corresponding movement to the lamps 27 in order that their rays- Wlll always be directed in the course followed the vehicle, v

, Due to the noncontiguoiis relation the cables 22 and 24,vvear of one on the other is avoided and also interference of movement of one with the other is overcome.

In order to prevent unduefwear of the movable parts iii daylight, that is when the lamps are not lighted, and their dirigible action is not 'i'ieeded provi'sion is made to securethe lamps against movement, This end my be attained in any suitable manner. For instance, an eyelet 41 may be located on a fixed part of the vehicle, one adjacent each lamp, and the cables 22 and 24; may be detachably secured to theeyelets20 and21 as by in'ean'sof sna rfastenings 42 s0 that each pair of cables is transferableto engage an eyelet 41 to hold the 'lamp against dirigible movementv- The lair'ips- 27 may either be used at any desired time as a trouble or general purpose lain pby det'aehing it from the proper shaft 13 as will be understood.

As merely one practical embodiment has been illustrated and describedrit isto'be understood that hanges in the details 'ni y spirit and scope of the invention. I

I claim as my invent on be resorted to provid'ejdtheyfall Within-the 1. In a headlight mechanism, incoinbina-.

ing one from each 111g" and being secured one above and one below and resp'e c'tivelvto said connections. v I

2.- In a headlight mechanism, a easiag, means to secure said casingto thec-li'assis" of the vehicle, a shaftjournalediil said casing, bearings for the shaft vvit-hi'nthe casing, collars on the shaftengagirig opposite ends of the casing, the upper extremity er'the shaft being Square, a amp ihe a l w 5e square cross sectlonal configuration slldab'ly and detachably eiig g ag sa aeaasaid en haviag'a recess, a'cushionin spring in said recess in engage-nientiivith'said sleeve, lateral lugs oil-sa shaft bale-e the eaeing asposed at different elevations and eaten-(1mg in opposite directions, andii'neans' ektending from said lugs for armament retire steering mechanism of a vehicle;

In testimony whereof I signature in presence oftwo witnesses. v

' v SAMUEL D'OUGLA'SS Witnesses: o

f CLYDE A. 'DbiiGL-Ass J. R. Lamas. 

